Guests will hear a translation in Spanish or Japanese recorded by character actors who reflect the excitement and spirit of the English recording. This technology provides a truly magical experience.

There is a deposit of $100 per person by credit card which is refundable when headsets are returned. You can check out your headsets at the Disneyland City Hall or at the Information Booth at Disney’s California Adventure Park. It’s offered daily but is subject to availability.

Here is a photo I made in the Magic Kingdom. I used a favorite combination of high-end digital camera combined with a low-tech plastic lens with a flexible bellows, a lens that allows one to use very selective (if any) focus for a unique look. I photographed Chip and Dale, then Cinderella Castle with fireworks, and combined the two frames afterward. I hope the image makes you smile…

To build the 16-foot-high structure, Cast Members use 60 sheets of plywood and 1,000 board feet of trim. Also, there are 40 window panes found on the Victorian gingerbread house — and that’s just the structure.

More than 400 hours are spent baking over 10,000 pieces of gingerbread before opening. And 1,050 pounds of honey, 600 pounds of powdered sugar and 140 pints of egg whites are used each holiday season. It’s quite a process but we’ve got it in seconds.

You should know that Gingerbread house decorating demos are conducted in front of the Gingerbread House daily (except Sundays). Is this a “must see” for you? Let us know in the comments.

The Disney Parks Blog featured several holiday-related posts this week, including a feature on a group of people who spend each Thanksgiving living in tepees at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. If you missed it, here’s a look:

We also asked for your thoughts on historical images on the Blog and what makes spending the holidays at Disney Parks so special. Here is the list of our most popular posts:

– Disneyland Resort Remembers — Forty six years ago this week, America lost its 35th president, John F. Kennedy. We found a photo showing Disneyland park closed its gates on November 23, 1963, in honor of the president.

If you celebrated Thanksgiving like we did, then there are plenty of leftovers. Well, Walt Disney World executive chef Lenny DeGeorge has a favorite leftover dish and he’s sharing. Here’s how to make a holiday turkey Panini. Let us know if you have any leftover favorites in the comments:

On Sunday, November 29 – HGTV will debut a new one-hour special, all about how Walt Disney World Resort cast members prepare the Parks for the Christmas holidays. The special is called Behind the Magic – Disney Holidays, and is hosted by Design Star champion and Color Splash host David Bromstad. The Disney Parks Blog camera crew caught up with David on location in the Magic Kingdom while shooting the show earlier this month.

HGTV’s Behind the Magic – Disney Holidays premieres November 29, 2009 at 8 pm in both the Eastern and Pacific time zones. (Check your local listings.) If you miss it, the special is scheduled to run again at 3 am E/P as well as December 11, 20, 24 and 25.

He greeted guests as he stood atop a float and glided down Main Street, U.S.A. The turkey’s float was surrounded by 200 volunteers. Many of those volunteers gave their time at the Orange County Food Bank and helped prepare more than 20,000 bags of food for those in need for Thanksgiving. Take a look at “Courage’s” exciting day at Disneyland Park.

It’s a good day at work when you find yourself in the North Lawn of the White House. My assignment: attend the pardoning ceremony — where President Obama officially pardons the National Thanksgiving Turkey — and make sure the lucky bird and his alternate board United Turkey-1 (yes, that’s the official FAA name) for Los Angeles. I didn’t pull off this feat alone. I’m with an amazing team of Disneyland Cast Members who made sure this all happened without a hitch.

The turkeys, “Courage” and “Carolina” are on their way as we speak. Tomorrow “Courage” will star in the “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day” Thanksgiving Parade on Main Street, U.S.A at Disneyland park. He and the alternate, “Carolina,” will live out the rest of their days at Big Thunder Ranch. Take a look at today’s video from the White House and Dulles International Airport. Enjoy!

This week’s tips on enjoying your holiday meals have focused on the turkey — now, it’s cranberry sauce. Walt Disney World executive chef Lenny DeGeorge is sharing how to jazz it up with a few dried fruits.

The recipe starts with about 3 ounces of Bourbon. You’ll then add 1/2 cup of golden raisins, 1/2 cup of dried cranberries and 1/2 cup diced dried apricots. Next, add a 16 ounce can of cranberry sauce and bring it to a boil. Chill and then refrigerate the dish before serving.

This is a great recipe to make a day ahead because it has to be totally chilled when served. Happy holidays and enjoy.

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